System and method for magnetically aligning and connecting a garment

ABSTRACT

A system and method of attachment for a tubular garment including a single piece of flat fabric, the fabric has a first side and a second side and at least one pair of magnets on each of the first side and the second side of the fabric. Each pair of magnets has a polarity arrangement to removably attract the first side of fabric and the second side of fabric.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo 63/282,255, filed Nov. 23, 2001, entitled “SYSTEM FOR MAGNETICALLYALIGNING AND CONNECTING TWO SEPARATE ELEMENTS TOGETHER” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to a system and method for connecting twoelements of a garment together with magnetic internal components, suchas a tubular neck surround, garments that attach behind the line ofsight, or for appliances like orthotics for the disabled or thearthritic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the early phases of the coronavirus pandemic, a variety of methods ofrespiratory containment were pursued. One of the earliest and mostrudimentary design approaches was a neck gaiter, or balaclava, whichcould be easily pulled up or down as a form of protection. While thegaiter provided some form of protection, it also required pulling itover the head, and frequently in colder climates, created considerableundesirable static-electricity. The same issues of ease of use, relateto other garments that require being pulled over the head, with the sameundesirable effects.

Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,600 teaches a garment for people withphysical disabilities that includes multiple pieces of fabric to beconnected with releasable strap fasteners. U.S. Pat. No. 10,448, 687teaches adaptive clothing using magnetic closures fastening a frontlayer and a back layer. Although the prior art may teach adaptiveclothing it uses multiple pieces of fabric and fasteners that are morecumbersome and difficult for the user to use. The present inventionprovides a simple way for a user to create a tubular garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention minimizes or eliminates the negative aspects ofuse mentioned above by providing a mechanism that does not require thesame degree of dexterity to attach, making the use “more user friendly.”The use of magnetically aligned components of the present inventionprovides a broad use for items or garments requiring an attachment whichis not in the line-of-sight. It provides a quick-disconnect system forease of use. Other embodiments of the present invention for theattachment of the two sides can be accomplished utilizing a zipper orseries of buttons, that connect the 2 sides into a tubular structure.

The present invention provides a system of attachment for a tubulargarment including a single piece of flat fabric, wherein the fabric hasa first side and a second side, at least one pair of magnets on each ofthe first side and the second side of the fabric, wherein each pair ofmagnets has a polarity arrangement to removably attract the first sideof fabric and the second side of fabric.

The present invention also provides a method of making a removablyattached tubular garment including forming a flat piece of fabric to adesired shape, magnetically attaching a first side of the flat fabricand a second side of a flat fabric.

The present invention provides a system and method for connecting twoelements of a garment together, such as a tubular neck surround, whichincludes two separate sides, each having magnetic internal componentsthat enable the two sides to magnetically interlock and attach together.

The invention also provides a system and method applicable to garmentsthat attach behind the line of sight, or appliances, such as orthotics,for the disabled or arthritic. This necessitates the user to be able toquickly align, connect, or disconnect a wrapping or covering where twoseparate elements require continuity to perform their function.

The present invention eliminates the necessity of pulling a garment overthe head by magnetically fastening two adjacent sides together with aninternal magnetic interlocking alignment system. It may be used for theelderly or people with disabilities whose fine-motor dexterity has beenimpaired.

In addition, the invention precludes the necessity of removing othergarments, such as a shirt, to be able to benefit from the insulatingaspects of the tubular knitted item.

The present invention provides and promotes the ability for blindattachment behind the head, or for the dexterity impaired to be able toeasily use the product

The present invention provides a permanent magnetic connection systemthat can be used for attachment / quick-disconnecting two ends of anorthotic device, such as those that currently rely on straps and Velcroattachment that deteriorate over a short time, and are bulky to use bythose with compromised dexterity

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of theinvention, in which:

FIGS. 1 a-d show different views of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, when fully assembled and in use;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show an exemplary embodiment of the garment and themagnetic connection device;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show exploded perspective views showing variouselements of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventionshowing the magnetic attachment to the garment and the concealment ofthe magnetic connection device; and

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, where themagnetic connection element is not visible and enclosed within two sidesof the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for attachinggarments and orthotics, for example, a system of attachment incorporatedinto the construction of a shirt neck that can be easily attached. Thisincludes magnetically attaching two separate elements of a single pieceof flat fabric, or other material used to create a garment, to create acomplete tubular piece. The flat piece of fabric/material is cut into adesired form. The flat piece has two sides, such as a left side and aright side, and when the two sides are connected, form a tubular shape,such as a neck insulation device, a turtleneck or a dickey collar. Thetubular shape may be used in a garment covering the entire upper body ofa person or as a garment for only a portion of a person’s upper body,such as the neck. The single piece of flat fabric does not become agarment until the two sides of the fabric are attached. A series offlexible molded ends that contour to the variability of the desired formvariations get permanently affixed to the left and right sides of thefabric. Each side of the fabric contains at least one pair of magnetsthat may be contained within the molded parts. The magnets are in aspecific polarity arrangement to promote their attraction of the twosides to create a removable attachment method

FIG. 1 a shows a front view of garment 10, FIG. 1 b shows a side view ofgarment 10, FIG. 1 c shows a top view of garment 10 and FIG. 1 d shows aback view of garment 10. FIGS. 1 a-1 d show two ends of fabric 1,2 whichcreate cowl 16 . Two ends 1, 2 can be removably attached together(forming cowl 16) using at least two magnets 14 (one pair). Magnets 14may be polarized rare earth magnets. Magnets 14 may be contained inmolded alignment parts 12, 13 on each end 1, 2 of cowl 16. Garment 10includes a front bib 17 and shoulder piece 18.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention assembled. FIG. 2 shows ends 1,2 of cowl 16 in aclosed position. Magnets 14 are contained within the molded magnetholders 12, 13, by snapping into magnet holders 12, 13, for example.Magnets 14 are disposed within magnet holders 12, 13 in a fashion wheretheir poles are magnetically attracted to one another, thereby promotinga constant force closure of the two magnet-holding molded parts 12 and13. Magnet holders 12, 13 have an optional integral nesting interlockthat aligns the two ends 1, 2, of cowl 16 which are affixed to moldedparts 12, 13 to create the closure. Magnet holders 12, 13 may be sewn inor heat sealed onto two ends 1, 2 of fabric / cowl 16 at tabs 20, forexample. In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6 ,magnet holders 21, do not have an interlock detail, and rely on thestrength and polarity of the magnet 14 to create the alignment of thetwo ends of cowl 16.

FIG. 3 a shows garment 10 in a flat position, with cowl portion 16having a top portion 3 and a bottom portion 4. The top portion havingends 1 a. 2 a and bottom portion of cowl 16 having ends 1 b, 2 b. (Ends1 and 2 shown in other figures include side ends 1 a, 2 a, 1 b and 2 b).Assembled magnet holders 12, 13 are attached using tabs 20 to ends 1 b,2 b in bottom portion of cowl 16 in the flat body of garment 10. Topportion 3 of cowl 16 can be rolled over bottom portion 4, once garment10 is assembled and magnets 14 in magnet holders 12, 13 are connected,concealing magnet holders 12, 13, and also creating a barrier of fabricbehind the molded magnet part, now ready to wear. FIG. 3 b shows anexploded version of the magnet holders 12, 13, with tabs 20 and magnets14. Magnets 14 are placed in “pockets” 19 that retain the magnets anddispose them in the correct polarity for attachment.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show another view of the main components of theinvention. FIG. 4 a is an exploded view, showing main flat front bib 17,shoulder piece 18, magnets 14, tabs 20 and molded magnet holders 12, 13mounted on bottom portion 1 b, 2 b of cowl 16. Cowl 16 has a top portion3 having top ends 1 a, 2 a, and a bottom portion 4 having bottom ends 1b, 2 b. (Top ends 1 a, 2 a and bottom ends 1 b, 2 b are shown as ends1,2 in other figures when top portion 3 is folded over bottom portion4). Top portion 3 and bottom portion 4 are the same size in length.Magnet holders are located in bottom portion 4, allowing top portion 3of cowl 16 to fold over the bottom portion and conceal assembledmagnetic holders 12, 13. Cowl 16 is shown in the open position in FIG. 4a , prior to being folded over (FIG. 4 b showing ends 1,2 and FIG. 5 )to conceal assembled magnet holders 12, 13.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged exploded assembly of garment 10 including cowl16. Cowl 16 is shown being rolled/ folded over to conceal the lowerportion of cowl 16 where flat attachment tabs 20 of the magnet holders12, 13 are connected. Tabs 20 are an integral part of magnet holders 12,13. Tabs 20 are the portion of magnet holders 12, 13 that attach to endpieces of flat fabric 1, 2. They can be attached by sewing or heatsealing, for example.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the attachment device in whichmagnetic attachment holders 12, 13 are fully concealed within the fabricof cowl 16. In the alternative embodiment, there are no exposed moldedparts. This embodiment relies on the strength of the rare earth magnetsto provide the alignment based on the pull strength of the magnets. Whenthe two opposing ends of cowl 16 of garment 20 are within 2″ of oneanother, the magnetic rare earth elements incorporated into each of theseparate ends automatically align, and removably attach the two opposingends together, completing the tubular “sleeve” and locking themtogether.

Other embodiments of the present invention for the attachment of the twosides can be accomplished utilizing a zipper or series of buttons, thatconnect the 2 sides into a tubular structure, such as a cowl or for alimb, for example.

Though the invention has been described and illustrated with referenceto a preferred embodiment thereof those skilled in the art willappreciate that various changes and modifications in shape, size,composition, and arrangements of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoinedclaims.

1. A system of attachment for a tubular garment comprising: a singlepiece of flat fabric, wherein the fabric has a first side and a secondside and forming a tubular shape when the first side and the second sideare connected, wherein the tubular shape includes a front bib, ashoulder piece and a cowl; and at least one pair of magnets contained inat least one molded alignment housing located on each of the first sideand the second side of the fabric, wherein each pair of magnets has apolarity arrangement to removably connect the first side of fabric andthe second side of fabric end to end without overlapping forming thetubular shape.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The system of attachment as recited inclaim 1, wherein the molded alignment housing has an integral nestinginterlock that aligns the first side of the fabric and the second sideof the fabric to create a closure.
 4. The system of attachment asrecited in claim 1, wherein the cowl hides each pair of magnets whenfolded down toward the garment.
 5. The system of attachment as recitedin claim 1, wherein the magnet alignment housings are fully concealedwithin the first side of fabric and the second side of the fabric.
 6. Amethod of making a removably attached tubular garment comprising:cutting a flat piece of fabric to a desired shape; magneticallyconnecting a first side of the flat fabric and a second side of a flatfabric to form a tubular shape that includes a cowl; and folding a topportion of the cowl over a bottom portion of the cowl concealing themagnetic attachment.
 7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein themagnetic attachment is done behind the line of sight.
 8. The system ofattachment as recited in claim 1, wherein the cowl has a top portion anda bottom portion, wherein the top portion folds over the bottom portionof the cowl and conceals the at least one pair of magnets when the atleast on pair of magnets are connected.
 9. The system of attachment asrecited in claim 1, wherein the at least one molded alignment housingincludes at least one tab, wherein the at least one tab attaches the atleast one molded alignment housing to the first side and the second sideof the fabric.
 10. The system of attachment as recited in claim 1,wherein the at least one molded alignment housing is located on a bottomportion of the cowl on and end of each of the first side and the secondside of fabric to form the tubular shape.